Tears, dust, ashes - and celebration.

Last Friday I cancelled a lunch and went to St Paul’s Cathedral in
Melbourne to attend a memorial service for the bushfire victims – twelve days ago, today.
Tears, dust and ashes – a service for those affected by the Victorian bushfires – of prayer, hope and remembrance.
It was Friday 13 February – a day regarded by many as full of gloom. Gloom there was not on this occasion, just sadness, reflection and celebration. Candles were lit and white stones placed on the altar by representatives of each of the communities affected. Tears were shed at the devastation and bewilderment at the scale of the crisis. Explanations? How can anyone possible attempt such?
At the crux of the crisis, on Black Saturday as it’s now known – the day I arrived back from the New Zealand mountains and drove into the holocaust, I wanted to flee this country for that verdant land where I had just come from – the land of my birth and no bushfire history or forecast.
Suddenly New Zealand seems the place to be facing the onslaught of Global Warming.
My resolve firmed during that stressful night during my listening to the urgent fire alerts on the radio, checking the CFA (Country Fire Authority volunteer force) website and paranoiacally looking outside for any signs of fire on the horizon.
We sang the Australian National Anthem during the service in St Paul’s – the first time ever for me during my forty years’ residency and my raw emotions overflowed into the thought, “ This is my community. How can I leave it?”
It’s the fate of an ex-pat to have that dilemma never fully resolved. You belong here – and there, but never fully in either. At some stage you make a choice, but not necessarily for ever. Or you divide your time – if you are lucky enough to be able.
It's at times like this that you think of home and Australians round the world are rallying right now. Among the consolatory calls I've had from around the world was a homesick Australian friend in Beijing.
The dust may have settled, but the fires are not out and the bushfire season far from over. The debate is raging over the prevention strategy and will be paramount in our planning for long to come, but the lives of those affected and surviving the maelstrom of the Victorian bushfires of February 2009, has been changed for ever.
Our emotions are on a raw edge, and we are still in shock - and I'm talking about those not directly affected, but the community spirit is high and everywhere you go there are bushfire appeals. More offers of help – clothes, food, accommodation and pairs of hands, have been offered that can be utilized
Victoria might no longer be the place to be in the long term despite its considerable cultural clout, but the spirit of the people is a powerful force.
The vineyards of the Yarra Valley have suffered enormous loss, but tourists are the restorative needed. Come visit you wine lovers and culture soaks. There are great galleries amongst the vines in this corner of the globe. And always a plethora of delights in Melbourne.
ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR.